If you’ve spent any time watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the last decade, you know the "Kicker Curse" wasn’t just a meme. It was a lived reality. From the Roberto Aguayo draft disaster to the revolving door of veterans who couldn't find the uprights in the humid Florida air, the position was basically a source of collective fan trauma.
But then came Chase McLaughlin. Honestly, it’s kinda wild how quickly he changed the narrative.
Most people see a kicker and think "replacement level." They figure as long as the guy hits his extra points and doesn't shank a 30-yarder, he’s doing his job. With McLaughlin, the kicker for Tampa Bay isn't just a role player anymore; he’s become a legitimate strategic weapon that allows head coach Todd Bowles to breathe a little easier once the offense crosses the 40-yard line.
Why the Kicker for Tampa Bay is Finally a Sure Thing
Before McLaughlin arrived in 2023, the Bucs were playing a dangerous game of "will they or won't they" every Sunday. Ryan Succop was steady, sure, but he didn't have the leg for the modern NFL. You weren't asking him to bang home a 55-yarder to win a game.
McLaughlin changed that instantly. He didn't just step in; he shattered the franchise record books. In 2023, he hit 93.5% of his field goals. In 2024, he went 30-for-32, which is another 93.8% clip. Think about that for a second. In a sport where a gust of wind or a slightly off-center snap can ruin a season, this guy is essentially a machine.
He’s currently playing under a three-year, $12.3 million contract extension he signed in March 2024. It was a move by GM Jason Licht that basically said, "We’re done with the drama at this position." And so far, it’s been one of the smartest investments on the roster.
🔗 Read more: Why Funny Fantasy Football Names Actually Win Leagues
The 65-Yard Statement
If you want to know why this guy is different, look at September 28, 2025. The Bucs were playing the Eagles. Right before halftime, McLaughlin lined up for a 65-yard attempt.
Most kickers don't even try that. Most coaches don't let them try that because a miss gives the opponent amazing field position. But McLaughlin stepped up and drilled it. Not only was it a career-long, but it also set a Buccaneers franchise record and became the longest field goal ever made in an outdoor stadium.
65 yards. Outdoors. In the heat. That’s just stupidly impressive.
The "Money" McLaughlin Nuance
What’s truly fascinating about the kicker for Tampa Bay is his path to get here. Chase wasn't some blue-chip prospect. He was a journeyman. Before finding a home in Tampa, he bounced around nine different NFL teams. Nine!
- Los Angeles Chargers
- San Francisco 49ers
- Indianapolis Colts (twice)
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New York Jets
- Cleveland Browns
He was the definition of a "replacement guy" until he wasn't. It’s a testament to the mental toughness required for the job. You get fired eight times, and you still have the confidence to walk onto Raymond James Stadium and kick a 65-yarder? That’s a different level of psychological wiring.
💡 You might also like: Heisman Trophy Nominees 2024: The Year the System Almost Broke
Statistical Breakdown (2025 Season)
While the Bucs have had their ups and downs recently, the kicking game has remained the most consistent part of the team. As of early 2026, McLaughlin's 2025 stats show a guy who is still performing at an elite level, even with a few more blocks than he’d like.
| Category | 2025 Regular Season Stat |
|---|---|
| Field Goals Made | 32 |
| Field Goals Attempted | 38 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 84.2% |
| Longest Made | 65 yards |
| Extra Points Made | 32 |
| Extra Point Percentage | 97% |
It's worth noting that three of those misses in 2025 were actually blocks. When you account for that, his actual "accuracy" in terms of ball-striking remains near the top of the league. He isn't just a "short-range" specialist either. Since joining Tampa, he has been one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history from 50+ yards.
What Most Fans Miss About the Kicking Game
People love to talk about the quarterback. They love to talk about Mike Evans (for good reason). But the kicker for Tampa Bay dictates how the offense actually functions.
When you have a kicker who can reliably hit from 55 or 60 yards, the "four-down territory" changes. It alters how Baker Mayfield approaches third-down situations. If you know you only need to get to the opponent's 45-yard line to get three points, you take fewer "hero ball" risks.
McLaughlin's presence has essentially expanded the scoring zone for the Buccaneers by about 10 yards compared to the Succop era. That is a massive advantage in a league where so many games are decided by a single score.
📖 Related: When Was the MLS Founded? The Chaotic Truth About American Soccer's Rebirth
Dealing with the Pressure
Kicking in Tampa isn't like kicking in a dome in New Orleans or Indy. You've got the humidity which makes the ball feel like a lead weight. You've got the sudden afternoon thunderstorms. You've got the wind coming off the bay.
The fact that McLaughlin has maintained a 90%+ success rate over his tenure here is statistically an anomaly. He’s currently the most accurate kicker in the history of the franchise for anyone with more than 50 attempts. He’s already passed guys like Martin Gramatica and Ryan Succop in terms of pure efficiency.
The Financial Side of the Foot
The Bucs are paying McLaughlin roughly $4.1 million per year. In the grand scheme of a $250+ million salary cap, that’s peanuts for the amount of points he provides.
When you look at the 2026 cap situation, Chase is slated to count for about $3.8 million. Given that he's been the team's leading scorer and arguably their most consistent player, he's basically the best value on the entire 53-man roster.
If he keeps this up through the end of his current contract in 2027, we aren't just talking about a "good kicker." We’re talking about the greatest kicker to ever wear a Bucs jersey.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the Bucs or managing a fantasy roster, here is what you need to keep in mind regarding the kicker for Tampa Bay:
- The "Go" Line is the 47: For the Bucs, any drive that reaches the opponent's 47-yard line is a scoring opportunity. McLaughlin's range makes him a threat the moment they cross midfield.
- Weather Matters Less: Unlike many kickers who struggle in the wind, McLaughlin’s lower, driving trajectory (often seen on his long-distance kicks) helps him cut through the Florida gusts better than "finesse" kickers.
- Watch the Protection: The only real "weakness" in the Bucs' kicking game in 2025 was the interior protection. With three blocks on the season, the focus in the 2026 offseason will likely be on the "heavy" personnel on the field goal unit rather than the kicker himself.
- History in the Making: Keep an eye on the 50+ yard records. McLaughlin is currently chasing some of the all-time NFL marks for career accuracy from distance. Every time he lines up from 50, you’re watching one of the best to ever do it from that range.
The days of holding your breath during a 40-yard field goal in Tampa are over. Chase McLaughlin has turned the most stressful position on the field into a foregone conclusion.